Resectoscope cutting electrode

ABSTRACT

A resectoscope including a tubular sheath; an optical telescope comprising a tubular stem within the sheath, an eyepiece at the proximal end of the stem and an objective lens at the distal end of the stem; and a cutting electrode carried by and reciprocable along the telescope stem and comprising a tubular body, an electrode wire including a rectilinear first part extending through and insulated from the inner surface of the tubular body, a generally loop-shaped second part extending beyond the distal end of the first part and having a pair of electrically insulated arms and an uninsulated cutting element constituting a continuation of each arm and positioned in the field of vision of the telescope. Mounted on the tubular body is a saddle unit comprised of an arcuate first member secured to the body, an arcuate second member affixed to the first member and embracing the telescope stem and slidable therealong, and a pair of arcuate third members which are disposed and attached to opposite sides of the second member. A portion of each arm is retained in a corresponding third member whereby the arms are adequately supported and rendered more stable against undesirable flexing, bending and/or deformation.



1. In combination with a resectoscope which includes a tubular sheath and an optical telescope having a tubular stem within the sheath, an eyepiece adjacent the proximal end of the sheath and an objective lens adjacent the distal end of the sheath, a cutting electrode comprising a. a tubular body carried by and reciprocable along said tubular stem; b. an electrode wire including
 1. a first part extending through and electrically insulated from the inner surface of said tubular body,
 2. a generally loop-shaped second part extending beyond the distal end of said tubular body and comprised of i. a pair of electrically insulated arms extending in spaced relation along opposite sides of the telescope stem and ii. an uninsulated cutting element constituting a continuation of each arm and positioned in the field of vision of the telescope; and c. means secured to the distal portion of said tubular body and movable therewith relative to the telescope stem, said means engaging and supporting each of said spaced arms and maintaining the same in spaced relation to opposite sides of the telescope stem.
 2. a generally loop-shaped second part extending beyond the distal end of said tubular body and comprised of i. a pair of electrically insulated arms extending in spaced relation along opposite sides of the telescope stem and ii. an uninsulated cutting element constituting a continuation of each arm and positioned in the field of vision of the telescope; and c. means secured to the distal portion of said tubular body and movable therewith relative to the telescope stem, said means engaging and supporting each of said spaced arms and maintaining the same in spaced relation to opposite sides of the telescope stem.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a. an arcuate member secured to said tubular body and embracing and slidable along the telescope stem.
 3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said means comprises a saddle unit having a. a pair of clip members, each of said clip members being secured to a corresponding side of the arcuate member and engaging and supporting a corresponding arm.
 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a saddle unit having a. an arcuate first member secured to the distal end portion of said tubular body; and b. an arcuate second member secured to the first member, said second member embracing and being slidable along the telescope stem.
 5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said means further comprises a saddle unit having a. a pair of arcuate members, each of said pair of arcuate members being secured to a corresponding side of said first-mentioned arcuate member and engaging and supporting a corresponding arm.
 6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a saddle unit having a. an arcuate first member Secured to the distal end portion of said tubular body; b. an arcuate second member secured to the first member, said second member embracing and being slidable along the telescope stem; and c. a pair of arcuate third members, each of said third members being secured to a corresponding side of the second member and engaging and supporting a corresponding arm.
 7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the longitudinal axes of the first, second and third arcuate members are spaced and parallel.
 8. The combination according to claim 6 wherein part of the second arcuate member projects forwardly beyond the distal end of said tubular body and the arcuate third members are secured thereto.
 9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said part of the arcuate second member is bifurcated to obtain a pair of spaced legs which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second member, and each of the third members is secured to a corresponding leg.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the longitudinal axes of the first, second and third arcuate members are spaced and parallel. 